Later in the evening, my brother came visiting with a flask filled with food, but the food really wasn’t what I needed that moment.
“I’m sorry for coming late, I really was held up with work. Dad is now safely home. I spoke with him a few minutes ago” he said pleasantly while I ate slowly.
“so what’s up, any breaking news?” he asked when I was done eating. I forced out a smile, thanked him for the food before telling him all that happened earlier in the day. He listened eagerly, frowning when I got to the suicide part of the plan.
“no no no I don’t support that. What’s the detective thinking by suggesting such nonsense? No that’s bad” he said seriously, but before I could answer, detective Jeremiah showed up that moment with a heavy frown on his face.
“I’m afraid I brought more bad news, intraveling” he said as he stopped before us.
“the Americans are now pushing for the case to be moved to their country” he calmly announced. My brother and I gasped with shock.
“i got a call few minutes ago to prepare and document every thing i have on the case. We don’t even have the two days anymore” he explained seriously.
“but that’s impossible!. The murder was committeonNigerian soil. The trial should be here” my brother protested seriously.
“I think you should take that up with the federal government if you have the right connections. I really had the feeling such a thing could happen but kept it to myself. Our leaders hardly deny the American government anything and this case is nothing different. Seriously many things has been happening which are swept under the carpet without the public knowing” he summarized with resignation.
“but i can go to court. I can stop them legally?” my brother asked seriously. The detective breathed deeply and shrugged.
“well if you can get the court to sit before your sister is moved out of the country. Then yes you can. But she’s married to an American citizen which somehow makes her an American as well, moreover i learnt her dead husband already procured all travelingpapers for her before his death, which makes everything a lot easier for the Americans” he answered.
“d–n” my brother cursed.
“but we still have till morning to come up with something new” he added while i cleared my throat and spoke out for the first time.
“i think i have a plan” i suddenly announced, surprising my brother and the detective with the cold smile which appeared on my face with the revelation.
Of course i had a new plan in my mind. A plan which was nothing close to the suicide attempt the detective proposed earlier in the day.
So what kind of new plan came to my mind that crucial moment?? Hmmmm
… Episode 17 …
“so tell us what you have in mind?” the detective asked curiously.
“well before i say anything, I’ll like to know if the so called Esther that got me into this mess is still staying at my husband’s house?” i asked while the detective nodded.
“yes she is at the house. She chose staying their with your mother in law and four other people while the rest moved to a hotel but my department is still in possession of all their passports. So what has that got to do with your plan?” he answered and asked seriously.
“a lot officer. It has a lot to do with my plans” i answered calmly.
“yes go on” my brother urged desperately.
“i can sneak into the compound, sneak up on Esther and make her confess. I know the house very well and i very much know the weak spots i can use in gaining access to any room i so desire” i poured out breathlessly. My brother scoffed while the detective laughed.
“you must be kidding, how on earth can you get her to confess?” my brother asked with disbelief
“have you forgotten that i’m a woman. I know how to get a fellow woman to talk. Moreover Esther won’t find it hard opening up her mouth, since to her, i’m good as dead and it equally would be her word against mine. But if i can record everything with my phone without her knowledge won’t the case be solved?. Please just allow me to have access to the house, i’m very sure i can do it” i pleaded desperately. The detective scratched his head and breathed deeply.
“have you forgotten that you are supposed to be in police cell?. How do i explain your disappearance?. No no no, even though your plan sounds tempting, i can’t allow it. I can’t put my a-s on the line in such way” he said slowly, while i grabbed him strongly.
“this is the only chance i got, please help me. If things go bad you can say i escaped from jail. You can fabricate anything and put on me. Please i beg of you” i begged passionately. He breathed deeply and nodded.
“fine i’m in but if things go bad, you are on your own” he accepted, drawing great smile from me with his words. I hugged him with gratitude.
“just pray it doesn’t go bad. This is the only shot you got to redeem yourself. Don’t waste it” he advised while i nodded.
It all appeared too easy to say but deep down i knew it was a very difficult task with high risk of failing. However I was very determined to carry it out. After all i had nothing to lose trying.
… Episode 18 …
“so when do you plan heading to the house?” the detective asked seconds later.
“it should be tonight, by 10pm. The neighbourhood will be dark and lonely by that time” i answered quickly.
“that’s okay but without a good recorder and hand gloves, i doubt if your mission will be successful. I can get them for you. Thank me later” he offered with a smile.
“oh thanks very much. You are indeed an angel” i thanked him.
“i think we are forgetting something. We are yet to come up with a plan on how to get her out of this place without your colleagues noticing” my brother queried suspiciously.
“leave that to me. I’ll get your sister out myself, but you will be right outside the premises to pick her up. You will be the person to drive her to the house” the detective said while my brother nodded in agreement.
“now get ready, in thirty minutes we should be out of here” he added.
“but it’s still 6:30pm i thought she’s breaking into the house by 10pm?” my brother asked with surprise.
“yea she is, but i can’t be able to get her out of this place by that time. I can only get her out in thirty minutes while you then take her to your house or anywhere till showtime” he answered. I breathed deeply. I really was nervous.
By 7:15pm that fateful evening, the detective took me out of my cell and helped me out of the compound by hiding me in his car. We had no problem leaving the police premises. It really was the most easiest part of the plan.
In a couple of minutes we arrived at the agreed rendezvous where my brother was already waiting. As i made to alight from the detective’s car, he held me back and stared at me with a worried look.
“please be careful. Here is the recorder i promised. It’s very small, uses micro card and has high recording capability. It’s already charged” he said with care, as he gave me the recorder with little lecture on how to use it.
“here are the gloves as well. You need no lecture on how to use them” he joked.
“please don’t disappoint me” he begged. I nodded, gave him a reassuring smile and alighted from his car. The detective was just a perfect gentleman.
“so what now?” my brother asked as i joined him in his car.
“let’s go home first. I want to see mum” i answered quietly. He gave me a long look, licked his lips and drove me home without another word.
______
10pm arrived much faster than i expected. I soon found myself at the back of my husband’s house with my heart pounding furiously while my eyes examined the fence as i prepared to scale it.
Yea i was born and raised in the village among boys. I knew how to climb perfectly well. My only fear was on how to achieve my mission without being detected.
To Be Continued
